Over-excitable dogs...

Dogs can excitable for many reasons, they may be simply young and wanting to investigate everything they come across. They may have very little stimulation and find things they come across to be too much to cope with.

Whatever the reason for a dogs over-excitement the only way to help them with their problem, is to introduce them to the problem as much as possible but reduce their excitement by removing any reward they get from it.

It is extremely important that you never shout at or hit a dog that is over-excited, they simply won’t understand what is wrong. It will usually make them more excitable because on top of their normal excitement they will get into a state of panic, not knowing why they have been hit or shouted at.

Socialisation & habitation
Puppies should be exercised and allowed to play with other dogs and puppies to get them used to their own kind. It is also a good idea to let puppies play with adults who play in a controlled way and teach the puppy that if they become too excited that the play stops, just like you would do for a child.

Taking any over-excitable dog to as many exciting places as possible is always a good idea. Our instinct may be to leave an excitable dog at home but the best way to calm them down is for them to experience as many things as possible, walks in the park, visits to bustling town centres, will all help to teach them to take things in their stride.

Meeting visitors
If your dog is already over-excitable then there are steps you can take to ensure that their excitement is reduced. Dogs that get excited with visitors should be allowed to meet the visitors but should never be allowed to get any reward from the experience.

When visitors arrive, put the dog in another room, let the visitor in and get them to sit down. Once they have settled, let the dog in. If the dog gets over-excited, visitors must totally ignore them, not even look at the dog. If the dog doesn’t calm down after about 30 seconds, put them out again. After 30 seconds let them in and repeat the process.

You should find that after the 3rd or 4th attempt the dog begins to learn that if they get excited, they go straight back outside, if they behave then they can stay. You will need to repeat this with all visitors for quite a few visits so the dog can learn it permanently.

When you put them out of the room make sure you don’t speak to them or get cross with them as this will tend to make them more excited. The attitude you need to adopt is that if they can’t behave then they can’t join in with you and the visitors.

Play
If your dog gets over-excited during play then make sure that you stop the play as soon as they become slightly excited, even if that is only after 10 seconds. It is important that they learn any over-excitement ends the play. This should be enough to teach them not to become to excited in the first place.

If you have any questions or comments on any part of our work, please contact us:
Animals in Mind, 31 Magdalen Way, Worle, North Somerset, BS22 7PG
01934 516714 - email us